Zakynthos Airport

Hi. just to let you all know its still as bad at the airport [departure] but the arrivals is ok ,Please do not let this put you off going to the lovely island of ZANTE its a matter of the rough with the smooth + a lot of patience.Will be back in September 2007 on our fav greek island regardless of the airport. 

We're about to return to Zante for the third time - the airport though trying has never put us off. Last year was the fastest exit we made - an amazing 80 minutes from arrival to take off and so well organised. This year however, we have organised our own flights and accomodation. Can anyone please advise whether the check-in on our return flight will mean queing with those who organised package holidays ?- can't see why but thought I'd just check. 

Have travelled to Greece many times but this is the worst Greek airport I have been to.

• Queuing for ages just to get inside the airport on our return home. The baggage scanning takes ages
• Be patient and polite to the check in staff, a lovely Scottish guy who was translating for a Greek girl behind the check-in desk was grateful for our patience and offered us exit seats on the plane.
• BEWARE of the snack shop, we paid approx £8.00 for 2 coffees - a joke! They dont display any prices, we should have asked I know, but never dreamed it would be that much, you better off buying a pack of coke for a few euros from Duty Free (Good range of goods there)
• Theres nothing to do and seating is limited, so be prepared to be uncomfortable!

Dont let it ruin your hols though, Zante is stunning in everyway

I recently arrived at Zante airport & stupidly left a toy dog that I had owned for 22 years on the plane. I immediately returned to the airport (within half an hour of arriving) where a travel rep advised me to go to arrivals lost & found. Here a greek lady just shrugged & insisted that she couldn't do anything about it. She took no details from me & was extremely unhelpful. After two days I went back to see if he had been handed in and was told by a more helpful greek man that all of my details should have been taken on the day & that the lady on duty could have radioed through to ask whether anything had been found on the plane. He said it was now too late and that anything that was found would have been thrown away by local plane cleaners. Thomas Cook who I flew with have assured me that anything found on the planes are always sent back to the originating airport to be held in lost property but as he has not turned up there yet I can only assume that items found on planes arriving at Zante airport are thrown! ... so if you happen to leave anything of importance on the plane, insist that the plane be checked while it is still in the airport!!

this airport is a complete joke!! no other way to put it and there is nothing good about this place! its so bad it could actually ruin the end of your holiday! me and my girlfriend went for 2 weeks and had the best holiday ever but when we got 2 the airport on the way home to England everyone was saying "is that it?!" its like a little hut that they shepperd you around like sheep in. we got there 3 hours early and we had 2 qeue outside in the scorching sun with the rest of tourists from Bristol and no-one knew where we were going until we got called in to check in our luggage and found out that we couldnt take wine in our hand luggage that the women at the winery had informed us we would have no trouble with at check in and we had to pay a £90 excess luggage fee and there were people everywhere trying to get rid of things out of there suit cases so they were under!people even being pulled up for 2 kilos over!what a shambles! things put in boxes and taken out the back, no doubt for the airport staff to help themselves at the end of the day! then we had 2 queue outside agein for another 2 hours in the burning sun for passport checks only for the PA to call out " everyone for bristol to board please you are late for your flight" what a joke!! Zante seriously needs to sort this out if they want people to keep coming back!! i wish i could rate minus'

It was our fourth time to Zakynthos and it's getting better slowly. It's alot better than it was when we went in 2001.

BUT PEOPLE BE WARNED THEY ARE VERY STRICT WITH WEIGHING LUGGAGE WHEN YOU GO HOME. ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OUT THIS YEAR AND WE ARE ONE OF THEM. DO NOT GO OVER 50KG (THAT'S 20KG FOR EACH CASE AND 5KG FOR HAND LUGGAGE) BECAUSE IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY 9 EURO PER 1KG, WHICH IS 6 POUNDS  AND THAT'S A LOT.  EVEN IF YOUR JUST 2KG OVER THEY STILL CHARGE.

IT'S JUST NOT ON, it's ok leaving to go because we was 5kg over in Manchester and said it's ok and stuck a Heavy sticker on the case, but when we came back we was appearently 12kg over and had to pay £71. which is a lot of money. so like I said be warned people. It's not the Greeks that check your weight it's your tour operator. ALSO WHAT MAKES ME LAUGH IS, IF YOU DO HAVE TO PAY FOR BEING OVER, THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP YOU FROM BUYING LOADS AND LOADS IN DUTY FREE. But Apart from that Zakynthos is a Fantastic place to go on holiday and it's not long till the Departure Lounge will be finished.

I have been this airport for the past seven years

the taste was disgusting

The airport is quite small but it's not as bad as some people make out. Who really wants to be stuck inside the airport when you can stand outside and catch the last of the sun before you head home. Yeah ok it can be a bit crowded when you eventually get in and the prices of food and drinks are high but the airport isn't really important its the holiday you've had. Zante airport is typical of the airports around the Greek Islands.

I'm afraid the previous comments are all true. I flew back from there last night.

Luckily we got to queue inside the terminal but it is far to small, apparently its only supposed to handle 2 flights per hour, hence there only being 2 scanners and desks, its not the place to be if there are 4 flights going out and its mid afternoon . They do check every bag though now at the first scanning so security is a bit better.

I just came back today from the airport and its a disgrace completly the airports half the size of a normal asda store. dont even bother going to the snack bar i payed 4.50 euros for a packet of small sized crisp an my mate payed 6 euros for a powerade dat like 4 pound and the airport securitys dodgy they dont check the bags or nothing didnt check the weight trust me get der early to avoid queuing

the airport is a joke. The new arrivals terminal isn't too bad for a small provincial airport, suitcases arrived and we were out within 30 minutes.

 Not bad by Greek standards. At least the loos worked (No loo roll or soap though). Just be prepared to stand outside under a canopy for 3/4 before you get in the terminal, sit on the dirty floor, pay a fortune for a drink and loose your sense of humour!!

JUST COME BACK FROM ZANTE 21TH JUNE, AIRPORT STILL THE SAME.

 THE NEW DEPARTURE LOUNGE (HA HA )  IS BEING OPEN IN SEPT 07 DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATHE WILL MORE LIKELY BE SEPT 08.

BUT, DON'T DO WHAT I DID  BROUGHT A NICE BOTTLE OF BAILEYS TO BRING HOME DIDN'T PUT IN MY SUITCASE IN CASE IT BROKE, BUT PUT IN THE CABIN BAG.

i have to agree with the rest of the users on this site you definately can't call zakynthos an "international airport" it falls short of the most basic commodities i.e. seating, after you are used to airports in the uk you will be shocked by the condition of this airport,on the last day of your holiday you start to feel down about going home but once you are stuck in departures,you look forward to a comfotable seat on the plane( yep thats how bad the airport is),but it is a small price to pay for a wonderfull holiday that will make you want to come back time and time again.

Yeah the airport is bad, the new arrivals is much improved now and im sure it will only be a matter of time before the departure lounge (for want of a better word) is revamped, but lets face it, ur not spending ur holiday in the airport, and who the hell likes going home anyway, just put it down to one of lifes experiences and get on with it, the conditions at the airport are a small price to pay for such a beautiful island

I had read all the reports about the airport so took plenty of water with us to drink while standing outside. There was a quite a long queue but we were under the canopies so it was not too bad. We were taken over in groups of about 15 at a time to check in and even though the air con wasnt working it was pretty cool. The snack bar prices ARE ridiculous so take your own food.The staff are miserable too. Duty free is ok  but prices for ciggies are the same in most of the resorts. Not much choice either.

Unfortunately we have to visit the airport!!!!! Arrivals was fine, but departures is a nightmare. We had to queue in sweltering heat outside to check in for what seemed like hours, come back out again and start queieng for passport control. nightmare! once you get in, its very small, and we were delayed 2 hours (not zante airports fault) but there was no seats, people were sat on floor everywhere. The snack bar is extrememly expensive - 7 euro for a pint! and duty free is no good.

I have been to Zante many times as it is so beautiful and the people are brilliant.  If you have never been to greece before you need to go with the flow and chill out.  Accomodation is basic but you only use it to sleep and shower.  Eat out as the food is cheap.  The airport however is the worst I have been to.  Take drinks and food as you will have a long wait outside.  Once you have checked in your luggage do not go through to departures as it is very hot, dirty with no seats and the food and drinks cost a fortune and are of poor quality.  Check if your plane has landed (you can see the arrival screens) and if not go back outside under the canopies out of the sun and play cards and eat and drink.  Only go through passport control once your plane has landed as you will still have about an hour to wait.  If there is a que at passport control explain to one of the reps (there will be loads) that your plane is in and she will push you to the front of the que.  Once in departures you can buy six packs of soft drinks in duty free cheaply.  Also croissants and biscuits if you are hungry.  Perfume is not much cheaper than at home but brandy is a good buy. 

Enjoy this beautiful, laid back island and don't think about the airport too much.

Hi Arthur,You will love Zante,the airport is alot to be desired ,don't let it put you off once you are beyond there,it's beautiful.There are loads of bars etc all open into the early early hours 3/4am,I think some are later than that.The restaraunts aren't overly expensive.Which resort are you staying in?If you're not staying in Laganas you want to visit it as the beach is long sandy and beautiful.The Greeks are lovely friendly people.Enjoy your holiday because once you've been you WILL want to go back.

Zante airport is the worst airport i have ever seen, on your departure you even have to que up outside before they let you in and when they do let you in you wish you wer back outside as you just get attacked by the minging flies and have to sit on the floor!!!. Also the food was extremley expensive! However i had the best time in lagana it was a brill holiday and even though the airport is that bad it hasnt put me off going to Zante as i am going againn in july CANT WAIT!!!!!

We went there last year and had an whale of a time, the airport looked like it was taken down in Majorca in the 70`s and put up there and you were herded around like cattle.  Will be looking forward to the fun and games this year as we are off there on the 24/06/07.

We have been to zante loads of times well twice a year for a long time now . The airport will never put us off I just love to see peoples faces when they see it . It cracks me up

We are going to Zante on 17th June for 2 weeks, We have been once before and the departure lounge (should I say lounge!!!) was pretty bad then. I think the way you have to look at it is it's worth putting up with a couple of hours discomfort for a 2 week stay in such a beautiful place. It wouldn't stop me from going again after all as soon as you get on the plane the departure experience is soon forgotten.

 What a dump. Queue for hours in every direction and then get in the departures 'shed' to sit on the floor with another 900 people eating and drinking the food at rip off prices Never again! Makes you wonder about security or lack of it!!

 7.50 Euros for a Pint of Beer at the Airport Snack Shop

or 20 Euros including a Pint plus 3 Pepsis!!!!!

Departures are still from the old building and it looks like its going to stay that way for the considerable future.  We were told that the authorities have ran out of cash to complete the new building, therefore only arrivals will be using it, with the same chaos ensuing over the road when u leave.  Only in greece can they build a new airport and only use half of it!  Typical. 

So is the new departures area now open also?

The arrivals is now open, much better than before but beware. we went in may and it was stifling waiting for the luggage...and slow. when its time to leave, the departure area is larger than it was but there is very little seating. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THE SNACK BAR!!!  prices are extortionate to say the least, we bought a small carton of fruit juice at 3.50 euro.  Things are better but still a way to go!

Can anyone tell me if  the new Departures building is now open?

we came back on 10 may from zante and we had a 3 hour delay, the security didnt care less and when we checked in was charged £26.00 excess baggage for our hold and nothing much was taken back from going .

Corfu airport is slightly better than Zante - more space in departures but still massive queues outside. I had no problem with either of them though - if you want to visit these places you just have to put up with the airports. a small price to pay!

worst airport i have seen, not even the size of domestic check in hall at newcastle.

BUT the new arrivals terminal is also for departures but is not complete, it was supossed to be ready by summer 2006 but wasnt. departures should be sorted by summer 2007,,,,,, hopefully

its not the best airport to be flying from[especially when you gotta queue up outside for a couple of hours just to check in!] food and drink are a rip-off. better off taking yer own.got the impression the airport staff/security could'nt care less.or perhaps they're just so laid back! on getting back to manchester airport we found one of our cases had both handles torn off! reported this to a member of staff who said another case would be sent out to us within 2wks. it arrived 4 days later-bigger and better quality than original one!!!!! jobs a good un. 

 not going to say much bout it as previous comments say it all, overall very small, mucky dump.

Well,after a lovely visit to Zakynthos,my partner and I decided to get a drink and a bite to eat at the airport Snack-Bar…which I may add is a new Snack-Bar this year.

Imagine our surprise when we found out how much we would have to pay for the following items…

2 Cans of Pop – 7 Euros (£5)

A Crusty Baguette – 5 Euros (£3.58)

A Pint of Lager – 8 Euros (£5.72)

What a damn rip-off!!

I have visited Zakynthos 16 times over the last 10 years and I have always enjoyed my stay.However,having encountered the prices being charged at this Snack-Bar I feel damned insulted to say the least! It was as if they were saying “Thank you for visiting our island…now sod-off and don’t come back!”

I hope the Zakynthos Tourist Board is reading these comments and does something about it.People do NOT deserve to be ripped-off like this.

Therefore,I must warn people returning from a visit to Zakynthos to not buy refreshments from the airport Snack-Bar and to take your own food and drink instead.

I noticed this year that all resorts in Zakynthos were very quiet.Even Laganas (usually the busiest resort) was like a ghost-town.They have obviously been put-off by something,and the people who did visit Zakynthos this year will not be persuaded to return thanks to Mr Rip-Off’s Snack-Bar at the airport.

I also noticed that for the first time in 10 years people’s hand luggage was being weighed at Zakynthos airport as you checked-in for departure…a ridiculous practice because as soon as you go to the departure lounge you can then visit the duty-free shop and buy even more goods making your hand-luggage even heavier!

Incidently,6 cans of pop at the airports duty-free shop cost 6.5 Euros…quite a lot cheaper than Mr Rip-Off’s Snack Bar!

Got there early before the coaches. Got checked in first in line and then hung about under an air-con vent in the main building. Only go into the departure lounge when you really have to, as at bust times (Thurs and Sun) it is hell, hardly even standing room at times.

Try and go to the toiulet before you get there, or on the plane, both are preferable to the terminal. In fact behind a bush is preferable.

Been coming to Zante for a while and Love the new arrivals , nothing changes in departures!! Take your drink and a snack with you cos you do get ripped off in there(as in every airport!!!) and the toilets are vile. My other critisism is that you cant have a good look around the duty free without being pestered by the sales staff, very annoying! Its an adventure don't let it spoil your holiday!

Ok people... yeah the airport is a bad place but ot do you expect from the Greeks?? Look how long it has taken to build the new terminal . Been going since Sept 2001 and it has improved and also gone down hill in many ways... the new arrivals is good but make sure u dont just stand waitin at one carousel... If a smoker hold on as once your through the doors as you car not allowed back through agen. the toilets on the otherside of passsport control arent the best and the stairs make you feel ill within the heat! i recommend you take food and drink to the airport with you the snack bar is a huge rip off!!

It amazes me that amount of comments i have read on here from people moaning about the airport. Myself and my family have been travelling out to Zakynthos 3/4 times a year since 1990. When we first arrived back then the airport was so much smaller and it didn't even have a carasoul belt. You had to go outside and look for your bag.

We have been going to Zante now for seven years (twice this year) and I agree the toilets are not fit for animals, the snack bar rips you off and when they have a power cut the air con goes off. But the departures used to be arrivals as well so think what it used to be like.The island is fantastic and the people are great. It is about time that they got their fingers out and sorted the airport and surrounding area. We will only be going back to Zante when the airport is finnished because it spoils what is always a perfect holiday.

The departures lounge is just terrible.  There is a new one being built and it is supposed to be ready in 2007.  The floor was dirty.  It looks like it is never cleaned.  There is not enough seats for everyone to sit down.  The toilets can only be reached by going down a spiral stairs and the toilets are just disgusting.  We were charged E7 for 2 cornettos.  Talk about rip off.

we took of on time thank god as i was dying for loo and toilets were horrible

what can you say? arrival okay once you've sussed which carousel is in use (both were going round with cases on!) departure not so good but on night flight so sun/heat not a problem. toilets before going though security aren't bad but once through its best to hold on!! considering the chaos it appears from the outside flights are boarded efficiently and we were off on time

Tip - if your travelling with a tour operator and they offer to pre book your seats (approx £12 per person, both ways) then do it. Guests at our hotel were picked up at 7.30 am for a 12 pm flight and had to stand in queues outside in the heat. We jumped in a taxi EUR10 at 9.30 and joined the rest of our flight inside the terminal building and only had to wait about 20 mins before we went through security.  Like wise on your way out you could check in 1 1/2 hours before rather than 3.

Rip Off! How much for a Bl**dy Sasuage Roll!!!!??

dont buy cans of drink from snack bar 3euros each go up to duty free 6 cans for 2.80 euros

Ps, departure is not a problem

To all the whingers about this airport, thuink yourselves lucky !! its twice the size now than it was 7 years ago, but still as disorganised, and unmanned in arrivals, you just dont know which belt your luggage might turn up on, we waited over an hour after landing at 7 in the morning and changed belt 4 times !!!!

quit complaining already! the airport is fine considering the island is soo small! and im not one of those people that only waited 15 minutes and then flew straight out, i had to queue for an hour n a half outside n then had a three hour delay once we had checked in and gone through security. jus laugh about it, if anything the airport adds to our holiday and its also very typical greek!

the airport was god forsaken! if there was a fire in there, we all would have perished because there were no obvious fire exits or fire exits signs and it was way too overcrowded! It didn't even have a ceiling and the fibreglass was hanging out of it. It was small and grotty, i'm no snob but not even a tramp off the streets would live there it was that disgusting! really disappointed because we were waiting over 3 hours.

We had to wait outside for most of the time when we were going home! But i thought it was alright actually! Caught some last rays! Didn't see much of the airport, we checked in, were there for what seemed like 15mins and then got on the plane! (earlier than planned aswell!)

Food was ridiculously expensive though so take food n drinks with you! A small packet of hula hoops was 2.70 euros 

Just recently returned from 2 weeks in Zante. I have been to Greece before but Zante airport has got to be the worst I have seen so far!! The arrival wasn't too bad with a fairly smooth passage through customs and baggage claim - accept the 1 Euro charge for a trolley and the fact the building has no air condition ( it was over a hundred degrees outside) The departutre lounge was much worse. To start with there was no celing inside with all heating ducts, electrics, fibre glass etc exposed. Once through to the departure lounge the lack of seating was absolutely appauling, with most people sitting on the floor, which looked like it hadnt been cleaned in a week. On the stairs to the duty free there is a sign in English which reads PLEASE DO NOT SIT ON THE STAIRS AS THIS IS DANGEROUS TO SAFETY  or something to that effect yet half a dozen Greek men sat on one side of the stairway blocking it!! The toilets were absolutely filthy with very little or no toilet paper, wet floors, no locks on the doors and broken hand dryers. The staff at this airport didn't seem to care and were only interested in getting your last remaining Euros - even a sandwich was around 5 Euros and at one point staff were smoking over the food counter.  I was glad to depart from this miserable and appauling terminal that has the cheek to class itself as an International Airport - it was a dump!!!  

It's getting there the old airport is all but gone and when we left on the 9th July was only being used for departures all arrivals are through the newly built much bigger airport which will shortly be excepting the departures to.
The old airport was a nightmare but now the new ones built it does take away the only thorn in Zantes side

The airport itself was ok if a little small!!  We didn't actually spend much time inside as we were waiting in a queue outside for over 2 hours!!  By the time we had checked in and paid a quick stop at the duty free shop it was time to board the flight. 

Came back from Zante on the 24th May with xl airways and still havent got my caseHave had to buy new stuff as all my stuff is in the case,phone charger etc.Stranded at glasgow airport for the night in what we stood in.Take note anything you might need put it in your hand luggageWe werent the only ones there was heaps of cases that were left in zantesaid the plane was too heavy well mine were under 20 each

Just got back from Zante on Thursday, and unlike most folks, I didnt think the airport was that bad, Granted your lucky if you get a seat whilst waiting to board, but generally I didnt find it that bad atall..

its a airport. you going to be waiting for your lugage for 45 mins. get over it and save your moaning. and yes its hot and squashed in the airport waiting to get on your flight. just sit (probably on the floor) and have a nap

Been 3 times and moan every time but i go backZante is worth the wait at the airport.Its great listening to every1 moaning and thinking that if they do it will get them on quickerGod its only 5 mins to kalamaki not like most places that take you hours to get to your hotel.Its all part of the fun coz if they had a bigger airport it wouldnt be a lovely LITTLE island.Dont be put off go enjoy your holiday and then have a moan at the airport.It should be the only reason to moan about Zante

 Airport mightmare but dnt let it put u off zante a great place hopefully they mite hav the other terminal up and running b4 long

this airport has to b the most cramped airport in the world.

but goin bak out is a totally different matta!!

first u hav 2 wait outside in a huge line 4 about half n hour then when ur in u hav to wait in anothter line then after that u hav 2 go in this tiny room which has to hold about a million people u sit in discomfort on the floor until ur plane c*ms so u mite hav 2 b there a long time

All the moaning about Zakynthos Airport is really not called for.  The size of the Island can not accomdate bigger.  Plus it is only funtioning for 6 months a year to holiday trade.

In the winter you only have 3-6 flight per week.  The new arrival terminal that opened early June 05 is extremely good and only maybe this year the another part of the building will be open for departures.  The old building will then be for Athens & Private Flights.  FOOD -yes it is expensive just like our airports so get something made up in resort before you depart.  Also put bottle/s water in the ice box to freeze.  Nice & cold all the time your there.  Once checked in go back out and sit in the sunshine for a bit and make the most of the sunshine you've paid to have.  ENJOY IT go on it's awhile until the next time.

The airport is not that bad at all.  The first time I went was in 2003 and yes it was a bit cramped at arrivals as they let about 4 plane's worth of people in at once.  So we were in there for about 2 hours just waiting for our luggage. It got quite frustrating.

The toilets are very clean and there are plenty of them.  I didn't have to queue, unlike in UK!

The best part of the airport.........Is the view as you take off!

Reading all these reviews, does anyone know how to speak or spell proper English anymore? No wonder our fine language is going down the pan.

STOP WHINING

Oh boy ! All the comments here are spot on. Thankfully the new arrivals hall has been opened so far better than last year (2004) although still only a couple of carousels that randomly spew your luggage out - you need to keep and eye on both.

AWFUL was packed in like sardines .you have to que up outside to book in .was about 6 full plane loads crammed into a small room with about 20 chairs.i was very lucky to grab one .did not leave it for anything as people were watching .no air con and doors shut so no air.watch out for thed mice too around your feet

this airport is the worst one ever visited. There was signs there to suggest re furbishment in 2003 and 2004 and still the same. no lights on or air con before our flight stuck in there for a cuple of hour in a hot smokey enviroment, un believeable.

no windows could be opened.

BY NEXT YEAR THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE OPEN THEY ARE PUTTING ARRIVALS THROUGH THERE NOW THE ONLY DOWN FALL ABOUT THE NEW ONE IS THERE ARE NO SCREENS AT THE MOMENT TELLING YOU WHAT BELT IS FROM WHICH AIRPORT AND CAN CAUSE A BIT OF CONFUSION BUT OTHER THAN THAT ITS OK. IF YOU GET CHANCE BEFORE YOU GET PICKED UP I'D TAKE MY OWN SNACKS AS CRISPS IN THE AIRPORT COST 4.50EURO. I HAVE BEIN THERE LOADS OF TIMES AND NEVER HAD A DELAY IN FACT I HAVE ALWAYS LEFT EARLY. IF YOU GO ON A MONDAY OR FRIDAY WITH THOMSON THEN YOU WONT GET QUE'S THOMSON ARE THE ONLY OPERATOR IN THE AIRPORT SO YOU WONT GET JMC, COSMOS ETC

Well it was a bit better than in June, at least now the arrivals in the new terminal was open. Although it wasn't finished it was very clean and seemed fairly organised (except no screen to tell you what carousel to collect luggage from). We were very impressed with this new part. It should be good when finished - obviously will never be up to the standard of our airports.

Coming home was still a night-mare with queues everywhere, rude reps and a distinct lack of security. The old terminal is still a disgrace and is extremely unclean and overpriced. Despite all this at least it is a bit bigger now that arrivals has moved next door allowing them to extend departures into the old baggage reclaim hall. Can't wait for the airport to be improved over the winter.

WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T LET THE AIRPORT RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY OR PUT YOU OFF COMING HERE - THE REST OF THE ISLAND IS AMAZING, SO A COUPLE OF UNCOMFORTABLE HOURS AT THE END OF YOUR HOLIDAY IS NOTHING REALLY. 

take your own food and water also take plenty for the kids to do because if your delayed its a nightmare. The tour opperators fill up coaches from a particular resort so although our check in wasn't til 5.50am we where picked up at 3.45 am (a disgrace). arriving not bad at all but departure not good would not want to be queing outside (or inside) when the heat starts to rise. would advise taxi to the airport for check in that way cuts down the waiting time also you dont have to que outside if you make your own way there. 

Dont be alarmed by some of the other comments. There is a new building for arrivals, cases came quick and off on coach to resort quick. Departure lounge was very crowdwd, few seats, but it is school hols. We were only delayed for one hour and I wasnt too hot. Flight from East Midlands delayed for 27 hours going to Zante so I suppose journey home to us was not too bad!!Also we didn't wait too long outside and was under canapy. Was impressed by very clean toilets but you always get some who still put paper in loo! Dont they get used to it whilst there in their resort?

The fuss is it is not up to eu standards anyone could get through their with a knife!!!!!!! Its was HORRIFIC

it first you had to stand in a long line outside check in your bags and stand outside again and wait to go through passport control once you went through you couldn't see infront of you for people trying to get past you. The airport was TINY. not very impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i can see wher every1 is diggin from with saying how bad this airport is.tiny,no seating,disorganised n crowed.fortunately we were lucky n the fact this airport isnt as good as others ive been to it didnt affect the time in which we had 2 wait.collecting luggage on the arrival was efficeient as 2 was transfer 2 coaches.on the way bk ther was big qeaues n a lot of congestion but we coped.we just sat in seats near the bogs n listen 2 james blunt.you're beautiful,, you're beautiful its true!then our flight was announced n qd a bit then hopped on!...dnt see wat all the fuss is about u miserable ba****ds!xxx

This airport is a disgrace!! I went to Zante 1st - 15th Aug and it was a joke, but it wasnt as bad as when i went last year in October!! My flight was delayed by 9hrs! I said i would never go back because of the airport but i did anyway. The arrivals part has actually been done out coz there only used to be ONE luggage belt, but now there is 2. Still a joke though!!

My house is bigger and i was shocked at the disorginisation on my return flight. Fortunatly i was luckier than the poor people who were told on the tanoy that  their flight was delayed another 2 hours and the groan was like being at a football match. Needs upgrading quiker

This airport is tiny to put it mildly. We were warned about it before so we werent expecting much. Arrival was actually ok but departure is a nightmare. Thank God we werent delayed. First you have to queue outside because there is only 3 or 4 check in desks, then once checked in, you have no chance of getting a seat. It is so overcowded it reminded me of being at a football match.    Dont let this spoil your stay in Zante though.   

The airports a great place if u enjoy standing under some plastic canopy outside in the boiling heat thing 4 an hour then wen u get into the airport u wished u stayed outside the duty free is the same price as in the shops in england and theres nowhere to sit but u dont come to zante for the airport anyway the new terminal it suposed to be built now so that should make things better zante is a beutiful place just a shame bout da airport

Airport is a nightmare especially the seating area not enough seats to deal with all these departures leaving the early hours of monday  food and drink very expensive extension is not completed yet!!!!

What can I say, I read the reviews before our holiday and was dreading the airport but I took the good advice from a review I read which was wrote by a rep, once we arrived we had to queue to get through passport control where there are men with scary guns! which wasnt very nice to see, we flew in on a thursday afternoon which is the busiest day and the best thing to do is walk straight past the ONE luggage carosell and head straight outside to get some fresh air and sit in the shade, we did this and felt far more relaxed than waiting for no reason in the crowds when the luggage is going to take ages anyway. We waited an hour and finally saw some of our flight passengers with their bags and so we then went back in when there was less crowds and our cases were going round. We then got on our coach which all went fine. However departures was a night mare!!! we thought we would be cheeky and get a taxi so we would arrive when the queue had gone down but we ended up the last ones in the queue for our flight, you have to stand under these canopies outside and it was so HOT! I couldnt get cool and thank goodness we had water on us, you need a huge bottle as its so hot for that length of time when we got to check in we had to queue again for passport control but inside departure lounge in had air con on but evryone was stood around it so you couldnt feel it! it was over crowded and by the time we actually got through all the queues we only had to wait inside departure lounge about 20 mins!!! so I suppose thats a blessing, toilets were fine and quiet but take food with you as it looks minging at airport and they charge like £10 for a can of coke! it was awful but the holiday made up for a few horrible hours at airport.

The airport really isn't that bad, we arrived , got our bags and were on our bus waiting to go to our appartments in about an hour at the most, which is about the same time we would have spent in scotland if not less! On the way out we were outside standing i have been told for 45mins but believe me it didn't seem like it! The airport is air conditioned! Prices for food, drink etc are dear so it would be advisable to take snacks with u when departing! I have been told recently that a part of the new building is now open to with 4 carousels!

wen travelling home yesterday, we had a 2hour delay whichput a bit ov a downer on the holiday as the airport was sooo cramped and wed been up along time, though in its defense it is sooo much better than wen we first went 10 years ago and they are developing it such as the shaded area outside so yu dont have to queue in the hot sun and they have started to build an extension, you have to be patient as up to a short while ago zante was a small quiet not very well known island know lots of people are going which is being a big shock to the airport. it wont stop me going back though.

This airport is SHOCKING what more can I say! We were delayed on our way out from newcastle which was bad, but when we got there the luggage gathering was absoutley stupid. We had to fight for our bags against 5 other flights on a caroussel that was about the size of a shopping isle, people were all over the place. It took us 2 hours. We can safley say that this is the worst airport we have been to, especially as this place is supposed to geared towards tourism. The return journey was a joke, we were hearded like cattle into the main building and left to wait for ages to get into the airport and find that there was nothing to do in there. No seats, nothing, poor. We were also great on our return journey by the news that our luggage was left in Greece only 4 cases made it onto the plane. Absolutley Poor.

Airport is shocking, took us three hours to get our luggage, good luck if you leave on a thrrsday evening flight and get in at 5.15am. its mayhem. on way back you have to queue outside, only three yes three checkin desks. good luck!!

be prepared to spend a long time in queues take plenty of water and a hat

It was fine. Quite small but OK. Only waited for less than an hour at check in and then was through to duty free where there is a very good shop with cheap prices selling good local produce such as olive oil, wine and other greek goods. We were delayed by 3 hours but this was Thomsons fault but it was OK. There are some toilets down stairs near the toilets that are always empty so when it gets busy go and sit down there. Food and drink bars a bit pricy so maybe take your own or buy duty free, crack open a cheeky red vintage and have some lovely olives. A nice airport.

I'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE EUROPE AND I MUST SAY THIS IS THE WORST AIRPORT I'VE BEEN IN.IT'S TO SMALL TO TAKE THE CROWDS.IF THIS RESORT WANTS TO EXPAND IT WILL NEED A MUCH LARGER AIRPORT AND A MORE UPTO TO DATE CHECK IN SERVICE.STANDING OUTSIDE IN THE HEAT DIDNT BOTHER ME,BUT IT WAS THE YOUNG FAMILIES AND THE ELDERLY THAT I FELT SORRY FOR.

Never really bothered me in ten visits but this time it has. I`m 34 but was brought up that if a female, elderly person or especially someone with young kids needed a seat to let them have mine.

We had no problems with the airport.  Best to fly in is a Wednesday 2 flights from England.  Worst days Thursday 10 flights from England alone.  Another bad day is Sunday - even fewer  airport staff. Departure lounge only has seats i would say for one flight - so we were sat on the floor - but that can happen in England.  Shop upstairs, toilets, snack bar.  Well organised at checking in suit cases - no problems.

It was awful. It was too hot and too many people and its the last thing you see before you leave which is quite dissapointing x x

Typical Greek airport,unorganised and hot.The airtours reps did their best to make things run smoothly.They have put covers up so it is more bareable in the heat outside
There were a couple of loud mouthed tarts with a group of lads at the airport.For the whole two hours we had to wait out in the midday heat, families ,couples and elderley people had to listen to these tarts talking loudly about their f...ng vibrators, watch them touch the young lads and act in a vile manner.To our surprise they were the ESCAPADES REPS.We appreciate they have to make the holiday fun for the young people, but please give the tart like behaviour a rest at the airport,and remind their customers to curb their foul language.There were other young people waiting with us and they were just as disgusted.The young female holiday makers who were with them didn't look too impressed either.
The food and drinks at the airport are highly priced 13 euros for 1 mars bar,a dry cheese roll and two drinks.But we had a brilliant holiday on Zante,3 hours of unpleasantness did not spoil our time there. 08/09/04.

Cant wait for them to extend the airport, and to maybe sort out a better timetable so there is a bit more time between flights, that would be wonderful, but it won't put us off visiting. Although just remember to take your own food & drink, and be prepared to wait.

well we came to zante on the 11th of august and had a nice hoilday at the hotel marelen for 2 weaks i loved watching the planes down near the fence at the end of the runway in kalmaki . going there was ok we landed on the very short runway and went to the one baggage carousell when already a arkia airlines tel avviv plane landed there was loads of other people pushing in to get the luggage we finnaly got are luggage in the 42 degree heat and went to are holiday. on the way back to the uk on the 25th of august we checked in after about an hours que and went in to the shed its so small and stuffed. i had to stand up but wen i went in 2000 there was no smoking box but now there is in 2000 it used to be hot smokey and cramped but we left 20 miutes early so it was alrite just take your own food and dont pay 4 euros for coke

Zakynthos Airport must be the worst we have ever experienced. When we arrived the weather had been bad and several planes had been circling for about an hour waiting for the weather to get better, resulting in four or five planes, including ours, landing in the space of about 15 minutes. The airport just couldn't cope. We had to wait about two hours for our luggage.

If that wasn't bad enough, the return there was just a nightmare. It's a good thing we had good reps in the Direct Greece girls, Jenny and Jemma. They were brilliant and led us through an absolute nightmare. There are just too many flights for them to cope with. Apparently, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday are the worst and I was there on 11th October, goodness knows what it must be like in July and August. Also, it was so hot, especially in the Tax Free Shop. It's an absolute marvel that the flights land and depart on time. One thing in its favour is that it does seem organised in getting people on the buses out to the aircraft.

Also, the food and drink costs a bomb. It's 4 euros for a coke or Fanta and the sandwiches are 5 euros. Probably good for using up those last few Euro coins! Just make sure you have saved enough of them!

They are building a new terminal. At the moment it is just a shell, but I still don't think it will be big enough to cope with the number of passengers using it.

Quite honestly the experience at the airport on the return flight ruined the holiday (and this was a view echoed by others who we spoke to) and until the airport is sorted out we would NOT recommend the Island despite recommending the resort. The airport is totally inadequate for the number of flights that are scheduled and I really am surprised that the Tour Operators have scheduled so many flights for the same day. Even a bit of common sense could alleviate some of the problem. We had to queue (along with about 1500 other people) outside in the Midday sun for 2 hours just to check in and then once checked in you then had to join another queue for a similar length of time to get through passport control! It was only because our flight started boarding whilst in the Passport control queue that we managed to jump this queue in order not to miss our flight home! The tour reps (Thomas Cook) keep us completely in the dark and provided no information about queue length or times or even when we could check in – quite frankly appalling communication from them. A second terminal is under construction so hopefully this will improve things. I can only imagine it must be hell in the height of the season with kids having to queue in that heat for so long and I’m amazed people didn’t suffer from heat stroke. Take plenty of water and food to eat!

Tips for the airport from Hell. Best thing to do flying in is to walk straight past the one carousel - say hi, to your rep and tell him/her you are going outside for a while. Have a bottle of water with you, sit in the sun, if you smoke have a fag; if you need to tell someone back home you've arrived safely do it now. Then 15 minutes later fight your way through the crowds to get back in and look at the monitor, if there is still another flight or two in front of yours in arrivals, go outside again. With one carousel for all the incoming flights there isn't much point in getting stressed up about it and by standing near the carousel early you only add more bodies to the heaving mass of people waiting unnecessarily for their luggage. You'll get your luggage eventually. When you depart you will queue outside over a canopy (thank goodness). Our reps were wonderful and got us through check-in in no time. Then of course you have to sit and wait for about 2 and a half hours, if not longer. You must take lots of water and something to eat with you to the airport, as the food and drink is very expensive there. Hardly any seats so people sitting/lying on floor and standing up all the time, very crowded small departure lounge for the amount of people flying out. We were very lucky because our flight got an early slot so went 20 minutes early. Please DON'T go walkabouts and leave a piece of hand luggage on the chairs, its very unfair to do that when snr citizens or a pregnant lady may want to sit down. We saw 2 very selfish people who did this - I felt like throwing their hand luggage on the floor and taking their seats just to teach them a lesson, as they 'disappeared' for over an hour when someone else could have sat there.

We had no problem either on coming into the airport or going out.

Our bags were available in about 25 minutes on the way in. Even though there were three flights going out including ours we still got a seat. We also had no queue to check in. Mabye we were just lucky.

ChileQueen

vassilikos only 15 mins from airport wicked beaches.

Oh my god! Im at the airport but suddenly im in a third world country queing outside like a load of imigrants.This airport is one hell of an experience and should be approached with plenty of food, drink and patience. They will make you wait and they will rob you blind should you be thirsty or hungry! why is fresh orange juice 4 pounds for a plastic cup all of a sudden? Zante is worth the hassle though, but its a good job they are building a proper airport as we speak!!!!!!

As someone who`s been 9 times to Zante I MUST tell you:

When returning to the UK take YOUR OWN WATER and FOOD!

Prices have now gone sky high, 3 euros for a little carton of juice for example. If you have a long wait I`d take 1.5 litre bottles of water per person!

The pies and sarnies are appallingly dry, not to be recommended at all, so do make sure you take your own provisions.
Also apparently they`re clamping down a bit on excess baggage now.

Don`t let it put you off the island though, what`s 2 hours out of a week or two!

F***ing unreal. Don't want to spoil it for the people who havent been, but I strongly recommend you avoid this place if:

1) You are pregnant (fancy sitting on the floor for 2 hours?).
2) You are claustrophobic.

Also - the airport is EXTORTIONATELY expensive: 4 euros for a small coke, donut etc.

Take your camera!

the airport was less crowded than usual, managed to get a seat, the flight was on time, and we didnt have to wait too long in the sun. was a nice suprise. the airport is still pretty dire, but loads better than 7 years ago and the new terminal due for completion in 2006. not holding my breath, but the greeks made a pretty good job of the olympics when everyone said nothing would be ready on time.

I've been to Zante many times, the airport is definately one of the worst i've ever seen, but it does the job if you get caught at the wrong time it is a nightmare waiting in the heat outside then no room inside.
There is a new part been built but as somebody said greeks don't do anything in a rush so will be some time.
Remember no commercial flights go into this airport from 1st Nov - 1st May so they don't seem to do much.
Always have plenty of water & something to eat (shop/cafe prices are a rip off)

Jane - you have the won the coverted ' Nicest comment ever made about the Airport ' Award. You should be very proud of yourself!

I'm impressed, what an improvement. We queued only about 45 minutes, in the shade all the time. We were almost last to book in, the staff made a real effort to get us seats together, checking the ages of all the kids left in the queue and allocating the remaining seats. I keep hoping that we will be allocated single seats, so someone else gets our kids, but no such luck! The reps were efficient, everyone was friendly, and no-one in the queue was complaining. The departure lounge air con was working, the shop was good, what else could we want. Oh - and the luggage was straight on to the carosel on the way out - during harvest even! Last time we waited 2 hours for the luggage, then had an 18 hour delay on the way back, so we weren't keen on meeting the airport again, but it really was OK this time.

s**t hole!

special thanks go out to the airtours reps who masterfully ripped us off by induces us into pre-booking seats on the flight home at a cost of 10 euros each. on arriving at the airport i was told by the rep on the coach to join the queue with everyone else as the airport "is always busy on a thursday" and in a manner of words i was then ttold here is no point pre-booking seats. thankfully i have kept the receipt and will taking this up further with them.

THE PROBLEMS REPS HAVE TO DEAL WITH AT THIS AIRPORT IS UNBELEIVABLE. SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THEM WHEN WERE ALL WAITING TO GO HOME. THEY STAND THERE HOURS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH AS FAST AS THE AIRPORT PERMITS, DIFFERENT FLIGHTS GOING THROUGH AT THE SAME TIME. I ASKED ONE REP IF SHE HAD A SUNSCREEN ALLOWANCE FROM HER COMPANY (OLYMPIC)AS SHE HAD TO STAND WITH HER CLIPBOARD ABOVE HER HEAD TO KEEP THE SUN FROM HER. WHEN SHE TOLD US NO WE WERE APPALLED. SMALL BUS SHELTERS HELP KEEP SUN OFF YOU BUT ITS STILL HOT, TO BE EXPECTED. ALL IN ALL IT WASN'T THAT BAD AN EXPERIENCE. JUST BE PREPARED TO WALK OVER PEOPLE LYING ON THE FLOOR IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE. NOT MANY SEATS SO PEOPLE JUST GET DOWN WHERE THEY CAN.

Hi, how far from the airport to Vassilikos please?

i thought the airport woz some kind of joke, one conveyor belt. when we came in there were two other planes aswel! going bk had 2 queue 4 near enough 2 hours! facilities were s**te! should invest in more seating!

loren, zoe and vicky manchester girls 4eva! xxxxxx

"""""""""NO COMENT""""""""""""

for our first trip to Zante we didnt find the airport too bad we got through pretty quick when we arrived and coming back we were prepared enough had water food etc , we had to sit on the floor but wasnt a problem and we left 20 mins early so all in all not to bad , we left at around 8.00p.m so i dont know what its like in the mid day when its a lot busier

The airport seemed like a nightmare when we arrived but we were really lucky! Our luggage was more or less the first to appear on the conveyor belt so we were straight out. However, there is only ONE conveyor belt in the whole airport so if you're not as lucky as us, I think you could be there a while!

Most areas are air conditioned apart from the smoking area (this was a bit strange!).

You have to wait outside under canopies before they call you inside the airport to the check in desk on your way home. Thank god they put canopies up - otherwise, I think you would be cooked alive as you do have to wait a while. Once inside the departure area it's like sardines in a tin!

Also, beware of the staff on passport control. I think they have been told that they will die if they smile. I've never seen such miserable people in my whole life. And hope to god that the beeper doesn't go off when you go through the metal detector as the rough handed guards will come down on you like a ton of bricks. This happened to my little brother - I thought he was going to cry!

Some building works appeared to be underway - I think it's a new terminal. I hope it's there when we go back next year. I doubt it though as the greek builders are very slow. Every in Zante seems to be under construction (don't worry, I'm not talking about the resort itself!)

One of the poorest airports I've ever been too. Facilities are just about OK, but they lack enough seating for everyone, and the queuing system is a joke. The holiday companies should be investing in the airport given the number of tourists going through there every year!

GET PREPARED FOR QUEUES.ON BAGGAGE CAROUSEL.THATS JUST ON THE WAY IN.ON THE WAY OUT NIGHTMARE. QUEUE TO CHECK IN,THIS IS OUTSIDE UNDER A CANOPY IF YOU ARE LUCKY,THIS IS THE QUEUE NOT CHECK IN.THEN PASSPORT CONTROL QUEUE INSIDE IN THE HEAT.THEN THROUGH TO DEPARTURE LOUNGE 10/1 YOU WONT GET A SEAT.YOU ARE RELIEVED WHEN YOU GET INTO THAT COMPACT SEAT ON THE PLANE JUST TO SIT DOWN.AS BETWEEN THREE AND FOR PLANES ARE BEING CHECKED IN AT THE SAME TIME THE OPERATORS TREAT THIS AS A MILITARY MANOUVER.JUST GO TO EXPERIANCE THIS WHAT A LAUGH AFTER THE EVENT

Dean - Its dead easy. Takes about 10/15 mins from the 'airport' into Kalamaki. Prob cost about 10 euro at a guess

If anyone can tell me if its easy to get a taxi from the airport to Kalamaki.
And how much it should be. Thanks

very much a 'walk in, luggage infront of you, now your out' kind of deal. nowhere to sit, very cramped so first impressions are not too good. however Kalamaki in particular is well worth staying at...

NIGHTMARE!!!! Although we were there early in the morning it is far to small for the amount of people coming in and out. Very crowded, hot, long ques and no where to sit!!

the airport is to small for everyone to fit in.there aint many seats for everyone.its too hot in there for.thanks

Totally agree Gary. The amount of people put through the Zante system is quite astounding when you consider the apalling conditions there. The most comfortable place in departures proved to be the smoking area as the air con kicked in about every 5 minutes and quickly cleared the air as well as cooling us down. Was the 2020 some sort of a joke. I`m sure it will be finished by at the latest 2019!

We've been to Zak 5 times, with each departure day having its own memory. ( bad ). But this time, we were surprised at how organised the procedings were. They have constructed canopy shelters outside, which offer good protection from whatever the weather is doing. The reps appeared to be working together, to keep people moving. Don't get me wrong - its no picnic, but compared to how it used to be, its a big improvement. The new terminal is due to be completed in 2020!

my trip from Zakynthos airport was ok, probably helped by the time of year and also the actual time of when our flights were! (late evening on both occasions)

the reps seem to work together to make sure that you get there at different times and will stay with you up until you go into the waiting room. its a bit daunting when you walk in but when one of the flights go, your more than likely going to get a seat so you can wait for yours!

for a quick amusement, read the signs about and play spot the spelling mistakes! the best one i saw was "please do not seat on the stairs" (seat instead of sit) hehe!

other signs about also said that the airport is being improved so any major changes, please let me know! aaronstone_uk@yahoo.com

thanx

We visit Zante every year. The airport is the worst thing about it! Please don't let it put you off - persevere, because you will have a great holiday on a beautiful island eventually, once you get outside the airport. Your luggage will take an hour (maybe even more) but try and chill out because you are in Greek time - not British! It should be the only complaint you will have about your visit to Zante, but it isn't enough to put us off. Take lots of drinks, eats, magazines etc, and be prepared for a long time hanging about. Enjoy your holiday...

Well said Gareth. I think forewarned is forarmed, if you go expecting the worst you wont get so stressed (hopefully) and its well worth it for the beautiful island, friendly people and good reps of zante.

zante airport is really not as bad as ppl r makin out. okay u ave to wait bout n hour for ya baggage to come, but once u get em ure meeted by ure rep n transferred to ure hotel. our transfer time was bout 30-45 minutes (we stayed in alykes). i never went in the arrivals toilets, but if ya think ya gunna neeed to go y dunt ya just go on the plane?!
c*min bk we dint have to que outside at all, the people at the checkin desk were quite organised n ad the reps c*min to get ya passport n tickets from ya so u dint have to phaff about wen u got to the desk. departures isnt as bad again, okay theres lots of flies n stray dogs. the smoking room was the worst for flies. the duty-free shop was very resonable priced, good for spening ure last few €'s. the food from the cafe was very over priced. the cobs had hardly any filling, no butter n wernt tht nice but were edible. we took our own crisps with us n tht saved us a few €'s. the toilets in departures wernt bad at all, they were resonable clean n had a good amout of loo rol in them. the staircase down cud b a little tricky for parents with strollers or young children. but all in all zante airport is a nice small n friendly airport!!!!!!!!

here are some handy hints for your experience of zante airport from someone who repped in zante for 2 years and did at least 3 airport shifts a week, every week!

arrivals:
-you will probably need to wait in excess of an hour for your baggage, so my advice is to walk straight past the 1 conveyor belt and out to your reps and tell them u r heading outside for some fresh air. this is also where you will need to go for a cigarette (u won't have any probs getting back in so no need to worry)
when you see them ticking people with baggage off their list, wait 10 mins and then go in and get yours.

departures:
this is where the fun begins......
-when your reps tell you which queue to get in, listen to them and do it. believe me there is no other way to do it. the most senior reps and sup**visors have been on the island for years and they have tried every method possible and this is the one that works. yes you will have to queue outside but when you do get inside you will see that it is impossible for everyone to queue in there!

-if you see anyone pushing in, have a quiet word with the reps and they will kick them to the back of the queue. it pisses us off as much as it does you guys and if the queue jumpers kick off then remember the reps have the airport police (scary guys with big guns!) on their side. that will soon shut them up

-take plenty of water (try and freeze it to keep it cool), crisps and sandwiches for the wait as the kiosk is way overpriced. if you do use the kiosk then ask your rep to get your food as they pay about 1/3 of price you do!!!

-take plenty of sunblock! u have your tan at this point so now just keep the sun off you completely to avoid burning!

-if you are a family with kids, leave dad outside with the luggage and mum and kids go inside for some shade and you can meet up again inside.

-the toilets are probably about the same standard as a pub toilets! not very nice but usable so make the most of a bad deal!!

-finally, and i stress this point. do not lose your temper with the reps as they are there to try and make everything run smoothly and anything they say or do is to try and make things run faster. without them there, things would not run as well, trust me!! if you do scream and shout then they will get offended......beleive it or not they are just human........ and they will not help you!

zante airport should not cause you to think any less of the island, or your holiday but you do need to prepare for it! i hope you all have a wonderful time if you are visiting in 2004 and if you are there between june 10th and 24th i might see you out there!

I HAVE BEEN VISITING ZANTE FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS NOW. AND IT HAS IMPROVED SLIGHTLY! NO SMOKING THANK GOD HAS BEEN INTRODUCED INSIDE THE AIRPORT. YOU JUST HAVE TO GO PREPARED TO ROUGH IT.IT IS V.HOT, DIRTY, AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY V.HOT OUTSIDE,WHICH CAN BE JUST AWFULL IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED SO BRING,WATER, SUNSCREEN, SOMETHING TO EAT. THE FOOD AND DRINK IN THE AIRPORT IS V.EXPENSIVE. ALSO BRING A BOOK AND SOMETHING TO SIT ON. FOR OUTSIDE AND INSIDE!EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE FINALLY REACHED THE WAITING ROOM BE PREPARED TO SIT ON FLOOR!

Ive been to Zante twice this year, the Airport is bad but its worth going through to be in such a gorgeous place, i love Zante and will defo be back!!
The first time i went was in July 03, as we were walking off the plane we saw a guy stood with a huge gun - we were like where the hell are we - but thank god it was lovely, i stayed @ The Bitzaro Palace and @ the Pavlos Studios.
Would recommend the Bitzaro Palace - what a gorgeous place, about 20 mins walk from centre of Kalamaki but its worth it for the standard of the Hotel, and it had Air-con!!!!!!

The comments on this board are correct, dont be put off coming to Zante by the airport but be prepared. A crap styrofoam cup of coffee costs 4E and avoid buying the sandwiches as you have no idea how old they are and they are not refrigerated.

Sorry we did not leave Zante on 25/10/03 it was 10/10/03.
we went on 25/09/03 arrived at 6am and found that the airport was not too bad on arrival, but then again we had our luggage before another 2 flights landed.
The Birmingham flight times stink -knackered going in -knackered coming out.
OOhh did see a guy have a tantrum when the cafe there tried to charge him E6 for 2 coffee's (not even Costa).

If i hadn't been so knackered (6am flight 2.30am left apartment)I may just have blown a gasket.
The stray dog asleep on the check-in conveyor belt was a nice touch (not). We must have been privelaged we were allowed to wait inside, but there again it was bloody freezing out (25/10/03)

just be glad you didn't use it 5 years ago the whole airport has doubled in size since then and if my one year old son can put up with it surely you are all whingeing too much.

Good Grief, dont expect the amenities you get at any UK airports just thank god they had toilets!! You queue to check in..... you then have to go outside to a bus shelter to join another massive queue where you wait for about 30 mins surrounded by stray dogs and its about 3-4am :o( the 2nd queue is for the passport check before you go thru to departures. Once thru get a seat ASAP dont visit the one and only shop till you get a seat! Take a pack lunch as the snack bar with its captive audience is a bit pricey especially when its the end of the hols and you have no cash left! AND the stupid flight times 5am arrival and 5.55am take off because of the turtles, and by all accounts they've left the island before sept so go figure!

dont let the airport put you off visiting Zante you will be missing out on a beautiful island. The warm sea and warm welcome you get out weighs the waiting and queuing on arrival and departure. If more than one flight lands..just check the carousel if its not your flights luggage go straight through and stand out in the summer sun! on the way back take plenty to drink if you have to queue - or dont get there too early!! at least this year the departure "lounge" had been cleaned up a bit and not so many flies were about! at least you cant get lost or confused in Zante Airport!!

OK the airport isn't up to much but it is functionable & the holiday will be worth it a wonderful island

Waited for 2 hours to be checked in!Thank goodness we were out the sun the whole while!
Our bags for over weight to but no one bothered!

Forgot to mention luggage weights. guy before us had a huge case that was 43 kilos ! They did not bat an eyelid! Our luggage was over to but the checkin girl was not bothered .

got in.didn't have to walk much.they didn't care how heavy my hand luggage was.anyway who likes airpots.as they go i thought it was pretty good.
leave the poor wee thing alone.

Stop whingeing! It's a small airport for sure and in a couple of years there'll be a new one. In the meantime, when you're departing don't queue outside with everyone else, have a beer in the snack bar over the road with the blokes building your new airport, then just walk straight past the queues, in the left hand set of doors looking confident, and find your check in desk!

Well we cracked it again , nearly hour and half wait for luggage on arrival, but what the hell we had great holiday. Just over 20 minutes queuing for passport control on departure and less than half hour wait before boarding so in all , OK!
Hopefully by next visit the building work will be sorted and they will have more than one carousel!

I have never visited an airport with faciltiies as poor as those at the tiny airport on Zante. When you arrive, be prepared to wait up to 2 hours to reclaim your luggage. As you leave you are made to queue outside for hours in chaos before moving through to the departure lounge which has practically no seating and is far too small. Please take your own food and drink with you, there is one kiosk but the prices are unbelievable - you could pay 8 euros per sandwich and 4 euros for a small bottle of water. You just have to switch off and not let it ruin your holiday, because Zante is worth it. However, if you are prone to stress at airports you may blow your top!!

Does anyone have any experience of how busy the airport is on thursdays at 14.30 local time in September?

This "airport" is an absolute disgrace!!!
Far too small and pokey to cope with the volume of tourists, it's an absolute JOKE!
They charge extortionate prices for inedible food and the facilities are appauling.
For the love of all that is sacred PLEASE do something about this hell-hole!! (Demolition comes to mind)...........